Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman has delivered his verdict on Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey

Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey’s recent improvement in the Premier League has caught the attention of Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman.

Koeman appeared on ESPN NL’s Goedemorgen Eredivisie to discuss several topics surrounding the Dutch national team, including the current options available in attack. His comments, reported in the Netherlands, included an assessment of Brobbey’s progress on Wearside following a difficult start to life in England.

Despite Brobbey’s recent form, Koeman made clear that Corinthians forward Memphis Depay remains his first-choice striker for the national team. “Yes, there’s no reason to change that,” Koeman said. “He’s fit, and he’s playing. He’s the all-time top scorer for a reason, and he’s important. If that remains the case, he’ll essentially be my striker.”

Brobbey joined Sunderland from Ajax on deadline day last summer in a deal worth around €20million plus bonuses - approximately £17million. The size of the fee raised some eyebrows at the time, given the striker’s difficult spell in Amsterdam prior to the move.

The 24-year-old also endured a challenging start to his Sunderland career, with criticism emerging in the Dutch media during the early months of the season as he struggled to adapt to Régis Le Bris’ demands. However, his performances have improved in recent weeks and the tone of coverage in his home country has shifted accordingly.

Koeman acknowledged the progress Brobbey has made since those early difficulties. “He did well,” Koeman said. “He had a difficult start and didn’t play. But he has learned to understand what is required if he wants to play. He has made really big strides in that regard.”

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The Netherlands boss also highlighted the importance of physical conditioning and intensity when discussing Brobbey’s development, particularly given the demands of the Premier League. “Fitness and intensity, both with and without the ball,” Koeman explained. “If you want to hold your own in the Premier League, you have to come from a good background; you have to be super fit. At Ajax, he was never truly fit, as strange as that may sound.”

The Netherlands are set to face Norway and Ecuador during the upcoming international break, but Brobbey is unlikely to feature. The Sunderland striker has not appeared for his country since March 2025 and has been sidelined with a groin injury since February. The issue has already ruled him out of several matches, including Sunderland’s FA Cup defeat to Port Vale.

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